Interview a WIB Member

Date: 9 May 2012

Member: Kristan Lansbery, Ph.D., J.D.
By Teresa Leet

Kristan Lansbery, Ph.D., J.D.

WIB-Washington DC/Baltimore Programs Committee Chair

Biggest ah-ha moment: Kristan started out wanting to be a scientist on the track to
professorship. Her life course changed while trying to prove her thesis on frogs in a
yeast lab. After realizing that her thesis wouldnt work, she approached her thesis
committee who told her, of course it wouldnt work! That was the defining
moment that changed her career path. Kristan realized that she wanted to work
with colleagues who valued her contribution and wanted her to be in a position to succeed.
Definition of success: Kristan feels that she has achieved success. She has been with the law firm Arnold &
Porter LLP for 10 years and cites David Marsh as her mentor and sponsor. Her undergraduate and graduate
studies in molecular cell biology help her represent her clients with leagalease communication as she
protects her clients intellectual property. She typically works long weekdays and the weekends are dictated by
volume. Kristan believes that every client is her only client and that they deserve her full attention and are
paying for it. She finds the work challenging, interesting, and rewarding.
Introduction to WIB: Current WIB members from A&P introduced Kristan to the organization: Amy Ryan, Steve
Parker and Sue Hendrickson. She wanted to reach beyond the legal associations and connect with women who
have a similar background and finds WIB to be very refreshing. Kristan lauds Valerie Fremont, WIBs National
Chair of Global Chapter Development, as an integral part of her exposure to WIB. They hosted a cocktail hour
on the rooftop of Arnold & Porter as a first event and then Kristan became the Chair of the Programs
Committee with Valerie as the Vice-Chair. In addition to several other events since 2010, the duo started the
Discussion with the Expert series that has been a tremendous success in giving WIB members access to
professionals at the top of their fields, such as last Aprils event with Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., Director, Center
for Devices & Radiological Health, U.S. Food & Drug Administration. With WIB, Kristan connects with other
professional women who have similar interests and feels a strong sense of community, support and belonging.
Favorite motto: Chance favors only the prepared mind
Information you wont find in Kristans Bio:
She was born in Wisconsin. Although Kristans dad said She lost the scientist title when she went to law
school, she will tell you that the scientist experience has allowed her to be a valued colleague at the firm
and a successful communicator and litigator for her clients.
Kristan lives in DC, commutes via public transportation and clearly has chosen a career that mirrors her
personality: Passionate and Intense!
In what might appear to be spare time, she enjoys hanging out with Red, her Pomeranian, and her boyfriend,
Dave.
Kristan has a contagious smile. Something she shared that most dont know about her is that she cries
uncontrollably at movies, commercials and yes, even radio advertisements!